LinuxAndOSSResearchAndAdvocacy

Revision 10 as of 2007-04-02 23:03:35

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This is a work in progress - please contribute

This is a project to build a repository of information and guidance on the introduction of Ubuntu/Linux in the UK workplace/enterprise. Useful information supporting the introduction of FLOSS into business has been highlighted.

Guidance to Government Organisations

  • • UK Government will consider OSS solutions alongside proprietary ones in IT procurements. Contracts will be awarded on a value for money basis. • UK Government will only use products for interoperability that support open standards and specifications in all future IT developments. • UK Government will seek to avoid lock-in to proprietary IT products and services. • UK Government will consider obtaining full rights to bespoke software code or customisations of COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf) software it procures wherever this achieves best value for money.

    • Publicly funded R&D projects which aim to produce software outputs shall specify a proposed software exploitation route at the start of the project. At the completion of the project, the software shall be exploited either commercially or within an academic community or as OSS.2

[http://www.govtalk.gov.uk/policydocs/policydocs_document.asp?docnum=905 Open Source Software Use within UK Government] Cabinet Office e-Government Unit

Analysis of the Impact of Open Source Software on UK Government

  • • ...OSS has shown that access to software’s source code is a major enabler of flexibility, and hence reduces legacy problems considerably • Many of the Government’s risks that arise from over-dependence on proprietary protocols and data formats for interoperability can be controlled by the selective use of open data standards. • The existence of an OSS reference implementation of a data standard has often accelerated the adoption of such standards, and we recommend that the Government consider selective sponsorship of OSS reference implementations. • The differences between OSS and proprietary software are not a major factor in either improving or degrading the vulnerability of a nation’s IT infrastructure. • OSS obviously saves licensing costs, and will probably offer a wider (and hence cheaper) range of suppliers for support.

The report does make reference to the immaturity of Linux on the desktop. Although this report was written in 2001 - a veritable lifetime in Linux development - and suggested a reassessment (which didn't happen). For this reason these points are not included. I've tried to dwell on key points that have not changed. ChrisRowson

UK Organisations Promoting Open Source

Organisation

Description

Focus

[http://www.nationalopencentre.org.uk National Open Centre]

The National Open Centre (NOC) is a national policy institute, a think tank to understand and articulate strategies to make effective use of Open Source Software and Open Standards (OS&S) for the benefit of all. It will focus on nationally relevant issues leading to proactive strategies to ensure that the UK effectively exploits the opportunities that arise with OS&S.

Multi Sector

[http://www.opensourceacademy.gov.uk Open Source Academy]

Our aim is to encourage the use of Open Source Software by local authorities through knowledge sharing and practical advice. The content of our portal, as well as our one-to-one services, can help you economise on costs and increase Open Source's implementation efficiency.

Local Government

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